Affordable housing statement

If your proposal meets the below criteria, you are required to include an element of affordable housing in your planning application, and to submit a related affordable housing statement. This is required for residential and mixed use development: 

• Providing 10 or more dwellings; or
• Where the site area would be 0.5ha or more

unless the development is for 100% affordable housing.

An affordable housing statement needs to include:

• the total number of homes proposed
• the total number of affordable homes
  • if this is not at least 30% of the total homes, an explanation is required
• the occupancy split for affordable housing
  • if the split does not meet our policy of 82% social housing and 18% intermediate housing, an explanation is required
• the type of home and number of bedrooms for housing available on the open market
• a layout plan showing the location of each affordable home. Include a key showing the type of home and occupancy
• an affordable housing schedule detailing:
  • plot number
  • type of affordable home
  • number of bedrooms
  • size per metre squared
  • occupancy
• build standards to be used (for example the Code for Sustainable Homes, Lifetime Homes)
• delivery method
  • if you are not delivering through a Housing Delivery Panel member then you need to include registration details with the Homes and Communities Agency, and a signed non-partner compliance agreement for the delivery of affordable housing
• information on the affordability of any intermediate affordable housing including
  • type of product
  • level of equity share sold
  • level of interest charged on remaining share
  • open market value
• details of phasing plans if the site is to be built over more than one phase
• any service charges
  • for example, landscaping, unadopted roads, communal areas, management and maintenance
• amount of commuted sum to be paid - if the affordable housing provision is to be provided by an off-site financial contribution rather than on-site units

For additional reading, please refer to the following policy guidelines:

• National Planning Policy Framework - paragraph 34,62-64
• North Somerset Council's Core Strategy - policy CS16
• North Somerset Council's Affordable Housing supplementary planning document

For more information, contact the Housing Development Team on the number below.